E46 320d Touring - what's the rub?
Discussion
Interested in a 320d Touring, most likely of '00/'01 vintage, with a manual box.
Like the sound of 47mpg (pinch of salt applied), reasonable load space and RWD. They're 150bhp at this age, I think, and if spending c.£3k they're of the 5 speed variety.
So, all sounds good so far. But what's the downside? Do they have a history of detonating at random intervals?
Advice please Beards!
Like the sound of 47mpg (pinch of salt applied), reasonable load space and RWD. They're 150bhp at this age, I think, and if spending c.£3k they're of the 5 speed variety.
So, all sounds good so far. But what's the downside? Do they have a history of detonating at random intervals?
Advice please Beards!
At that age I think the 320d was only 136bhp. The '00 one I tried a few months ago was anyway and I was underwhelmed by the performance. It just didn't feel torquey like a diesel should and I even asked the garage if there was a problem with it (apparently not). Instead I opted for a newer 6 cylinder petrol model for similar money. Probably not that helpful, sorry 
The early E46, 320d is underpowered. Having said that there were no turbo problems with the 135bhp engine. There was face lift in 2001, but the early ones of these had a tendency to turbo problems.
Later ones, 04 and early of 05 were generally cured of this weakness.
You would struggle to get 47mpg from touring, though it was possible in the manual saloon in my experience.
Later ones, 04 and early of 05 were generally cured of this weakness.
You would struggle to get 47mpg from touring, though it was possible in the manual saloon in my experience.
dan101smith said:
It's the 150bhp model I'm looking at, so potentially turbo issues then. And swirl flaps, I assume?
What's the cost of fixing either problem?
I'm not completely sold on a diesel - obviously the better economy appeals, but a 320i could also fit the bill.
If your looking at the 150Bhp/5 speed model it'll more likely be an 01/02, and this definitely has the early swirl flap design that can break off and be ingested into the engine. You can remove them and fit blanking plates for £50 DIY or £150 at PMW in Chelmsford. What's the cost of fixing either problem?
I'm not completely sold on a diesel - obviously the better economy appeals, but a 320i could also fit the bill.
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